Implantable Heart Sensor to Monitor Cardiac Patients

Last year, St. Jude Medical(Minneapolis, MN) acquired Atlanta-based CardioMEMS and subsequently won FDA approval for an implantable heart monitoring system. The components are paper clip-sized pressure detecting sensor which, by right heart cauterization, is permanently implanted near the junction of the heart and pulmonary artery, and a signal receiver sewn into a pillow which sends a reading wirelessly to a care provider. According to this piece, the sensor does not have a battery, but a quick search of St. Jude Medical’s websites does not say how the device is powered. MORE